Journal of
Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health

  • Abbreviation: J. Vet. Med. Anim. Health
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2529
  • DOI: 10.5897/JVMAH
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 413

Article in Press

Study on ruminal and reticular foreign body in slaughtered cattle at Dessie municipal abattoir, Ethiopia

Tarekegn Tintagu Gizaw*, Huzeyifa Shawol, Bethelehem Alemu Minalu, Yalew Tefera and Ali Selamawi Fantahun

  •  Received: 28 August 2017
  •  Accepted: 03 October 2017
Cross-sectional study was conducted from October, 2016 to April, 2017 on 396 cattle at Dessie Municipal Abattoir, with the objectives to determine the prevalence and type of indigestible foreign body in rumen and reticulum of cattle in association with hypothetical risk factors. Simple random sampling technique was used for selecting the study animals which were ruminants brought from various localities to abattoir. 59 (14.9%) were found positive for the occurrence of indigestible foreign bodies in rumen and reticulum. Prevalence of foreign bodies occurrence recorded in the three age groups of <5 years, 10 years and >10 years were 12.5, 12.6 and 21.8%, respectively. There was no statistically significantly association (p = 0.511) among the three age groups with the occurrence of foreign bodies. The prevalence of foreign bodies was lower in local breed cattle (9.8%) as compared to cross breeds (52.1%). Breed factors was considered as potential risk factors, and found highly significantly associated (p < 0.05), while the prevalence rate recorded in poor, medium and good body condition score cattle were 39.2, 12.5 and 1.9%, respectively. These are considered as potential risk factors and found highly significantly associated (p < 0.05). The types of foreign bodies detected in this study were plastic, cloth, leather, rope, nail, wire and mixed. Out of 59 positive cases, 50.8% occurred in rumen while 25.4% in reticulum and 23.7% occurred both in the rumen and reticulum. In general, detection of the foreign bodies in fore-stomach is suggested as health risk to cattle and contributes a lot for reduced production; it affects the health of the cattle and welfare of the animal. Therefore, appropriate solid waste disposal system need to be implemented in the study area to prevent health risk of ruminants and also to protect the environment.

Keywords: Abattoir, cattle, dessie, foreign body, reticulum, rumen.